Page 102 of Bride of Ice
He felt a primitive drive to protect her. To keep her secure. To make the world safe for her.
He wanted to provide for her. To make her a home. To keep food on her table. To be her shelter in every storm.
And he longed to give her bairns. A whole army of wee warriors with her ice-bright hair, her brilliant blue eyes, and her skill with a blade.
With a smile of delight, he crept back to the door. Before he sneaked back into his quarters, he turned to take one last glance at his precious bride-to-be.
Most of all, he yearned to prove his love to her. To make theirs a marriage of mutual respect and empathy.
A marriage that would stand the test of time.
No matter what temptations arose to discourage them.
Or what challenges arose to thwart them.
“Psssst.”
Hallie started.
“Hallie,” Isabel whispered.
Hallie frowned. Why was Isabel disturbing her sleep?
“Hallie,” Isabel hissed, louder this time.
“What?” she grunted.
“I told you so.”
Hallie drifted off again.
Isabel nudged her awake.
“Stop it,” Hallie groused.
“I said, I told you so.”
“Told me so, what?”
“I told you he was The One.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Colban. I told you he was The One.”
That woke Hallie up, instantly orienting her. She blinked rapidly, trying to recall how she’d arrived back in her bedchamber.
“How was the bath?” Isabel pried.
Hallie blushed as the details of what she’d done came into clear focus.
“’Twas a bath,” she snapped. “How do you think ’twas?”
“It took a rather long time, don’t you think?”
Knowing the best defense was a good offense, Hallie retorted, “He’s a rather large man.”
“Ooh.”
